AHRC NASSAU TODAY

AHRC Nassau provides opportunities and choices for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/ DD) throughout Nassau County. Our mission is to empower people to live fulfilling lives, together with family – friends – community.

The Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) recognizes AHRC Nassau as a Compass agency, a distinction of excellence held by only four agencies in New York State. AHRC Nassau also holds the four-year Person-Centered Excellence Accreditation With Distinction by the international accrediting organization, CQL | The Council on Quality and Leadership, a distinction that is held by less than 20 organizations worldwide.

As one of the largest providers on Long Island, AHRC Nassau offers day habilitation services, pre-vocational and supported employment support, family respite services, community habilitation, guardianship, recreational opportunities and residential services for more than 2,000 people.

AHRC’S day habilitation services utilize a personcentered planning where people are supported to discover their personal goals. Men and women are supported to contribute, participate, and become valued members of the community, enjoying quality interactions with those around them. With nearly 30 community-based “starting points of action,” the men and women are actively involved in making the community a wonderful place to work and live. By shopping for the frail and homebound, providing support for local animal shelters, beautifying parks, welcoming people at events, and helping local organizations through local drives and volunteering –day habilitation is a partnership between the people supported and the community.

The opportunity to work and earn a competitive wage is another goal for the people supported through vocational and supported employment services. At the Freeport Work Center, employment options are growing to meet the needs of people and area businesses, ranging from the Wheatley Farms Catering services, Wheatley Farms “Purchase With Purpose” candles and soap lines, all the way through to our landscaping division.

AHRC Nassau residential services supports over 600 men and women in every community throughout Nassau County to lead full and meaningful lives. Through 78 community-based homes and 48 apartments, the bedrock of the residential services are the direct support professionals (DSPs), who provide individualized levels of support to promote independence and an exceptional life experience throughout our shared communities.

Family supports include providing families with training and education, respite services, community habilitation as well as the disbursement of a home-based reimbursement grant. This grant supports families in need of care for a family member with a developmental disability living at home.

AHRC Nassau, as a chapter of The Arc New York, has the authority to act as guardian for an adult with I/DD residing in Nassau County. Guardianship is a legal process for adults with I/DD who are unable to make or communicate effective decisions about their daily self-care, health and safety. Corporate guardianship should only be considered as a last resort after all other potential guardians for the person have been exhausted. An applicant is expected to be a Life Member of the chapter and contribute financially to the lifetime costs of providing guardianship oversight. AHRC Nassau presently provides Guardianship to 27 people and additional supports for 56 others as an alternate and standby guardian.